Charles Fischer

Big Finish Makes It Eight Straight EUGENE, Ore. — The No. 19 Oregon women are now unbeaten in nearly a month after beating Arizona State on Tuesday afternoon, 72-58, before 6,950 fans in Matthew Knight Arena. Playing a makeup game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 13, the Ducks used a 17-0 run in the first quarter to take the lead for good. Arizona State was able to assert its scrappy style at various moments throughout the game, but ultimately Oregon's new "Big Three" of Nyara Sabally, Te-Hina Paopao and Endyia Rogers scored 19 of the Ducks' 23 points in the fourth quarter to clinch the win. With their eighth straight win, the Ducks improved to 14-5 overall and 7-1 in the Pac-12, behind only conference-leading Stanford as February gets rolling. "We're starting to execute," said UO coach Kelly Graves, whose team endured an injury ravaged December before finding its rhythm recently. "You can tell our team is playing well together; they've had some time together and they're playing well together." How It Happened: Arizona State started hot, scoring on three straight possessions. Sabally got the Ducks on the board with two free throws and Paopao followed with a three-pointer to kick off what ended up being a 17-0 run — with Sabally scoring 11 points and Paopao the other six. After ASU ended the run and a scoreless streak of 4:25 with a basket, Sedona Prince hit Oregon's seventh straight field-goal attempt for a 19-9 lead. Ahlise Hurst ended the quarter with a three-pointer as Oregon took a 22-13 lead. Paopao probed ASU's defense and got to the hoop for a basket early in the second, putting Oregon up 26-17. The score was stuck there for the next three minutes, as the Sun Devils established their preferred tone with physical play that resulted in turnovers at both ends. But Oregon fought through it to lead 33-30 at halftime, and ultimately never surrendered the lead despite a couple of similar stretches after halftime. "This was everyone's first time playing Arizona State, except for Endyia (when Rogers played for USC)," Paopao said. "To be able to get that glimpse of it at the beginning of the game, that this is how it's gonna be …. we just came together — 'we gotta get stops, we gotta take care of the ball, no more turnovers.' Because this team is really scrappy. We came out with the 'dub' and it was a hard-fought battle." After not making a basket in the first half, Rogers hit a pull-up jumper on her first attempt of the second half during a 9-0 run to a 42-32 lead. Hurst hit another three for a 49-40 advantage, but again ASU hounded the Ducks into some turnovers late in the third quarter, and the Sun Devils closed within 49-46 entering the fourth. That's when the "Big Three" really took over. Sabally scored seven points in the fourth, and Paopao and Rogers had six apiece. Paopao added a couple of key offensive rebounds that set up a three-pointer by Rogers and two free throws from Kylee Watson, and Maddie Scherr capped a typically well-rounded day with the final field goal of the afternoon to make it 72-58. Oregon was 7-of-12 from the field in the fourth, while ASU was just 3-of-11. "I'm really proud of our team," Graves said. "I thought we played well. We certainly played well down the stretch and in that fourth quarter. Defensively, we're finding a way to get it done late in games." Who Stood Out: Sabally finished with 22 points and six rebounds, her fourth 20-point effort in her last six games. Paopao added 19 points with six rebounds and six assists, and Rogers scored 10 points, all in the second half. "Let's face it, Nyara, she's coming of age right before our eyes," Graves said. "She's really turning into a dominant force out there. … "I think Te-Hina and Nyara were both really on point tonight. They were both really tremendous. We ran a lot of specials with just those two late in the game." Sydney Parrish added seven points, including a three-pointer during the 9-0 run early in the third quarter. Scherr finished with five assists, three rebounds and three steals, and limited ASU leading scorer Jade Loville to eight points, half her season average. What It Means: The Ducks took their lumps due to injuries early in the season, but they seem to be rounding into form at the right time to be a major factor in the race for the Pac-12 title. "We're still putting the pieces together," Paopao said. "But seeing everybody willing to accept their roles and do what they do, it's a joy to see." Up Next: The Ducks play at Arizona on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).

He is a 4-Star with Rivals too, but he has visited four schools, not Oregon...and seems like a long-shot. Oregon is not even listed as a contender...I do not know where you see a offer.

The other sites have him pegged to Oregon, and I so hope it happens.

On other sites...they mostly have him pegged as going to Florida, and it is doubtful if we end up having room for him in the end. WR is not a big need compared to other areas. (Like Running Back!)

And that is precisely what DCs Avalos and DeRuyter did...no sad goodbyes, no thanking publicly of the fans or Cristobal....just GONE. DeRuyter grabbed the DC spot at Texas Tech immediately as he knew he needed "career rehabbing" from his experience in Eugene.

From a sentimental standpoint--I am for the Rams with all the older players there who have their last chance, and because they traded away the near future for this shot. Cincy is young and they'll be back... And in answer to your question--no. Look for No. 58 Justin Hollins from Oregon!

(Press Release from Oregon Athletics) EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon was ranked 18th in the 2022 NFCA preseason poll released Tuesday. It is the fourth preseason ranking for the Ducks, who were No. 17 in both the USA Softball and Softball America polls and No. 16 in D1Softball’s preseason poll. Oklahoma topped the NFCA poll, followed by Alabama, UCLA, Florida State and Oklahoma State. Oregon was one of five Pac-12 teams ranked by the NFCA. The Ducks were joined by No. 7 Washington, No. 9 Arizona, No. 21 Arizona State and the No. 3 Bruins. The Ducks have amassed a trove of preseason honors with the season opener a little over a week away. Brooke Yanez, 5TH Year, LHP USA Softball Top 50 Watch List Extra Innings Softball Elite 100 (No. 20) Softball America Preseason Top 100 (No. 47) Yanez, a fifth-year senior from Ventura, Calif., was an NFCA third-team All-American and a first-team all-Pac-12 pitcher in 2021. She finished second in the Pac-12 with 268 total strikeouts and led the conference with 10.29 strikeouts per seven innings. An NFCA first-team all-Pacific Region selection, Yanez went 22-6 with a 2.11 ERA in 2021 while holding opponents to a .185 batting average in her 182.1 innings of work. Her 268 strikeouts are third in UO single-season history, behind only Cheridan Hawkins, who holds the top two spots. Allee Bunker, SR, INF Extra Innings Softball Elite 100 (No. 84) Softball America Preseason Top 100 (No. 90) Bunker, a senior from Huntington Beach, Calif., earned both all-Pac-12 first team and all-Pac-12 defensive team honors at second base in 2021. She was also named to NFCA second team all-Pacific Region. Bunker led the Ducks with 49 RBIs last season and tied for the team lead with 10 home runs. She hit .342 with 10 doubles, two triples and 36 runs. She was also one of the most difficult players in the nation to strike out, fanning just six times in 200 plate appearances. Terra McGowan, JR, C Softball America Preseason Top 100 (No. 97) McGowan, a catcher from Mission Viejo, Calif., finished third on the team with a .308 batting average to go along with five homers and 26 RBIs. She added six doubles and 24 runs scored. Defensively McGowan ranked second in the Pac-12 with 12 runners caught stealing. She was named both second-team All-Pac-12 and All-NFCA Pacific Region. One of the best clutch hitters on the team, McGowan hit .389 with runners in scoring position. She delivered a pair of walk-off hits late in the season. The first was a home run against Arizona on May 7. The other was a walk-off single at Texas in the eighth inning of an NCAA Regional game to force a winner-take-all regional final against the Longhorns. The Ducks open the 2022 season Feb. 10 against Ole Miss at Fullerton, Calif.

It is a reasonable question to ask, because when you asked five coaches from Oregon to join you and only three did, (Aaron Feld included) and you have only hired one other coach for a total of only three assistant coaches in two months? No OC or DC? Your two best recruiters (the DB and WR Coaches) leave to go elsewhere to lateral or slightly lower positions? (Ouch!) We have discussed extensively here that we believe the massive "Mario-Meddling" that must have taken place. But now it seems to be confirmed by everybody saying "No" to Mario. Young coaches work together on staffs, scatter and stay in touch; you want to know who is good to work for, and who is not and the word must be out on Cristobal in a big way. I've never seen anything like this, but let's look numerically at it... 60 Offensive Coordinator Positions to Be Filled in the FBS Ranks This Off-season (I counted them): only FOUR are left open. Offensive Coordinator Positions Still Open [Arizona State just hired UNLV's Glenn Thomas] Auburn: TBA. Austin Davies just resigned yesterday for personal reasons Marshall: TBA Miami: TBA Middle Tennessee State: TBA 51 Defensive Coordinator Positions to Be Filled in the FBS Ranks This Off-season (I counted them): only FOUR are left open. Defensive Coordinator Positions Still Open Air Force: TBA Miami: TBA Notre Dame: TBA (Head Coach, Marcus Freeman, promoted from this position) Purdue: TBA So there are only 8 (yes EIGHT) OC and DC openings remaining in all of FBS football, and Miami's Mario Cristobal has 2 of those 8. What is going on when 111 openings available with coordinators,103 hirings happen, 8 are left, and your head coach still has both openings to fill? When the word is out to this degree--you have been informally BLACKBALLED by the coaching community, and the only people left to hire are highly under-qualified, or have to rehab their career. (Former ASU coaches will apply?) Stunning. (I wish to thank a Duck-Buddy for providing the majority of the information above; he is a reluctant-Duck with posting, but he sends it along to me. As you know, I am SHAMELESS in using all I can! Thanks man.)

Superb article David, and while we are doing fewer articles per week during the off-season (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday) it is great the see the high quality as you always do--even outside the season. College football and being a college football coach just got a lot harder and more complicated, IMHO!

More years of suffering as a Viking fan...

Any advantage to break that damn streak of losing in Boulder!

Really similar to the problems Oregon has with the MO Indoor field, and now the solution is quite the same. They will both be finishing about the same time...

For those on desktop...they can see a screenshot background behind the forum on this site. It is of before a play on a scoring drive in the 'Shoe; Cristobal gave us that, and yes...I am grateful for it. I don't know if saying that we are happy about his start is accurate, but stating that we are highly entertained by it is more accurate.

Think of it...if the coaches are on to him....what about the players at Oregon? I really believe we would have a massive group leave Oregon this winter via the portal.

To beat out Dontae' Williams and Alex Grinch for a key defensive player? Pretty darn good!

I cannot imagine making the top 25 simply because of a much smaller class taken due to fewer scholarships available. The transfers from the portal takes away scholarships too, and while this will be a smaller year--we'll be OK, IMHO.

Whew! A BIG-BIG recruiting piece for this year. That's right...COME to Oregon!

Wowsa. I ignored this article this morning, but you should check it out and the pictures of what they are building? Whew! UO ATHLETICS BUILDING "THE JAKE" TO BENEFIT GOLF PROGRAMS from GoDucks.com

This is usually a "honeymoon" period for a new coach, and for Cristobal at Oregon...it was for a couple of years. (Only a pesky FishDuck was quacking) Now analysts of Canes football are having concerns, and rightly so. Impact of Miami Football Losing WR Coach Bryan McClendon to Georgia by Alan Rubenstein of Caneswarning The two best recruiters on the staff among assistant coaches were a defensive back coach who left to Alabama, and now McClendon to Georgia? Let me see if I got this right.... Cristobal only has three assistants; two he brought with him. (Joe Sale'ave' and Minnie-Me) One is a running backs coach. He has no OC or DC and signing day is in two days? How long has it been since he was hired? Mario knows how to get out of this situation...

For all the great things he has done....it was his moves that sunk the Chiefs; the throw to end the first half, the picks, and some other bad throws. Even the best have a bad day...

He was the only one who predicted both LA and Cincy, which I applaud. We will have a contest for the Super Bowl in a week and a half, and I think this may be even harder than the last ones to select. Too bad Johnny Mundt is hurt as LA is down to their last Tight End...

These interviews give us more and more confidence in Coach Lanning every day. 'He treats you like a human;' 4-star RB Jayden Limar finds connection with Dan Lanning on visit by Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire Portland's 4-star WR Joey Olsen talks Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks visit by Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire

Well, I would agree with you that more players will hang in there longer, but I also think we will have many players that will say almost immediately, "Hell-no," to losing their current status within the team. Thus we are going to be very disappointed with many who leave after Spring Football, hence I think the transfer number in the end will be a bit higher. Thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts and discussion, but do consider sharing the article on your Social Media and send the link to anyone you know who is a Duck fan. I think this is important information for the fans to know about Coach Lanning!

To Cristobal, the worst betrayal is that of loyalty, thus why the booing was the beginning of the end. Of course unless it refers to his loyalty....

If he was a starter....great. But I am not keen on getting a reserve, somebody's Sloppy-Seconds. Perhaps he can be coached up? Oregon Ducks Land Commitment From Former Nebraska Defensive Linemen Jordon Riley by James Crepea of OregonLive